25/08/2025

LYFE MONDAY | AUG 25, 2025

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T HE music industry development study currently being carried out by the Communications Ministry is seen as crucial in setting governance guidelines and a more effective enforcement for the country’s music practitioners. Malaysian Music Creators, Performers and Producers Association president Haris Fadzilah Daud said the study is expected to help safeguard intellectual property (IP) rights locally and internationally. “For years, we have had the 1981 Act (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia Act), but the real source of the problem lies in its implementation. “The challenges in the music industry are not that complicated… what is needed is for it to be gazetted to formally recognise the music industry on par with other professional fields so that it can protect and preserve the nation’s cultural and musical ecosystem,” he said. Meanwhile, Recording Industry Association of Malaysia chairman Rosmin Hashim said the study must take into account the aspect of close cooperation between the music and creative industries and the government. “If we look at some of the largest music markets in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, China and Indonesia, there are not actually laws that control the music industry in those countries. What matters more is close cooperation between industry players and the government,” he said. Rosmin said among the key areas that deserve attention are funding to develop the music industry and providing bigger platforms for local artistes to perform abroad. “Some initiatives include expanding the market for music content and creative works produced by local music industry players. “This way, we can further grow the industry’s revenue. For example, last year, our music industry recorded its highest income in history, RM352 million. “So we need to work with the government to find ways to expand revenue further so that all music A HUMAN graphic performance, combined with choir elements, is set to be one of the show-stopping highlights at the National Day celebration at Dataran Putrajaya on Aug 31. The performance, featuring 12 unity- and harmony-themed songs, will be delivered by 2,000 Form One to Form Four students, representing 50 secondary schools across Selangor. Choir conductor Ong Zen Kai said the new element was not merely for entertainment but carried a message of unity and harmony in the context of Malaysia’s multiracial society. He said the four-part vocal harmony, which formed the essence of choral singing and the core of the performance, represented unity that could resonate with every member of the audience. “Each voice symbolises a race and just as harmony creates music, our country will prosper if we unite, with the benefits shared by all the people,” he said when met during central training at the KSL Esplanade Hotel recently. Ong said he had conducted research and divided the participants into four groups according to their

Fahmi.

Rosmin.

Boosting local music industry o Insiders call for legal changes, tighter IP protection, govt cooperation

songs to enter the Chinese market and so on. That is our advantage. So, if we can work closely with the government to find ways to penetrate these large markets, it will certainly boost the industry’s revenue.” Rosmin also stressed the importance of strengthening legal frameworks to ensure tighter IP protection, which would encourage investment in the industry. This includes extending the protection period from 50 years to 70 years to provide longer-term benefits to content owners. “When IP is respected and protected, it reduces piracy and unauthorised use, while encouraging more investment in local music and creative content,” he said. When winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan for the Communications Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat recently, minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the music industry development study is being undertaken to examine issues, challenges and proposed action plans to strengthen the industry’s development in Malaysia in a sustainable and dynamic way. He said the study is looking into refining business models and governance – and developing specific laws that can support the growth of the industry. – Bernama

Concertgoers use their phones to capture moments during a live performance. Malaysia has its own unique advantage in breaking into the global market as it can produce music in Malay, Chinese and Tamil. – ALL PICS FROM BERNAMA

market, which has over 200 million people. We also have local musicians producing Tamil songs that can penetrate India. “We have Chinese-language

can produce music in three main languages – Malay, Chinese and Tamil. “For example, with Malay songs, we can tap into the Indonesian

practitioners can benefit from larger earnings,” he said. According to Rosmin, Malaysia also has its own unique advantage in breaking into the global market as it

Harmonious in one voice

vocal strengths to produce a more impressive performance. Although he was initially doubtful about conducting 2,000 students singing together, the teacher at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Serdang Baru 1 said his confidence grew after witnessing their determination during several joint training sessions. Meanwhile, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Saujana Putra student Nik Alesya Dania Zaidi said she was thrilled to collaborate with participants from across Selangor for the National Day performance. The Form Three student said she felt lucky to be selected after passing the interview and screening conducted by the Selangor State Education Department, allowing her to experience the celebration firsthand rather than merely watching it on television as in previous years. Muhammad Arif Naqib Khairul Kamal, 15, from SMK Pandan Jaya, said the performance by the human graphic team had deepened his appreciation of independence, as participants were trained to understand every verse of the lyrics.

Human graphic team members rehearsing for their National Day performance.

accompany singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza in performing the celebration theme song. Themed “Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni”, this year’s National Day celebration will be held at Dataran Putrajaya, with Malaysia Day to follow in Penang on Sept 16. – Bernama

has been training eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday for the past two months. The team will showcase a variety of movements through 12 songs, including a medley of Wau Bulan, Bapak Mek Datang, Dia Datang and Sayang Kinabalu , and will also

“I have performed these songs before but this time, it was different. The voices of 2,000 students singing together gave us goosebumps as participants and surely also for the audience.” The human graphic team, led by head coach Ahmad Hafiz Awaludin,